Outdoor education grant funding opens

Nonprofit organizations with programs to improve outdoor access and recreation may qualify for a newly reopened grant opportunity.

The Alpinees-Hood River Civil Air Patrol Outdoor Education Fund is requesting proposals for its current funding cycle. The application deadline is April 16, 2013.

The purpose of the Alpinees program is to promote outdoor education for the benefit of the residents of the Columbia River Gorge. The fund will support initiatives that enable people to engage in outdoor activities or study issues related to outdoor recreation and the environment.

In this grant cycle the grant range available is $500 to $4,000 with $8,000 total available to grant.

Organizers of activities that comply with program objectives and eligibility requirements are encouraged to submit proposals for funding.

The grant recipient, or the beneficiaries of the funded activities, must be residents of the Columbia River Gorge.

The grant recipient must be a 501(c)(3) organization, school or government program or be operating under the umbrella of such an organization.

In the selection of grant recipients, priority will be given to initiatives that demonstrate most of the following characteristics:

n enables large numbers of people to engage in the activity;

n enables people to engage in activities otherwise inaccessible to them;

n engages minors in outdoor activity or study;

n is part of a sustainable program;

n has potential for national recognition and replication; and,

n has potential to leverage funding from other sources.

The Alpinees-Hood River Civil Air Patrol organization formed in 1947. Over the years, the focus of the group changed gradually from search and resuce to outdoor activities that could be enjoyed by the community. The original headquarters building was sold and funds from that sale were used to establish the grant funding through the Gorge Community Foundation.

For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit: www.gorgecf.org/grants/outdoor-education-funds/